Buffalo Bills News - September 8, 2003

Monday Billboard [8:59 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Unsung Hero: WR Bobby Shaw might creep up the depth chart following his performance on Sunday. Shaw caught three passes for 51 yards and did most of his damage early when the Bills built a 14-0 lead.'

Still holding court, on the field and off [8:13 AM]Portland Press Herald reports:
'The Patriots insisted Milloy's departure and consequent signing with Buffalo was not a distraction this week, that they had moved on. Well, he was certainly a distraction on the field.'

Secondary expects growing pains [8:12 AM]Portland Press Herald reports:
'"It was important for us to hold them to no points," said defensive tackle Sam Adams. "Because if you hold them to no points, we can win every game."'

A sunny D-light [5:36 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'“ When the ball is thrown and a 370-pound defensive tackle picks it out of the air and runs it into the end zone, things were going our way.”'

Glorious win, but it's just one [5:34 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'Bills LB Takeo Spikes: How about that for a debut? Two interceptions, a pass deflection when he leveled Troy Brown on a play over the middle, enough raw energy and emotion to light up the dark side of the moon. He is exactly what the Bills have lacked since the departure of Cornelius Bennett — a playmaking linebacker.'

Bills' message to Belichick: You blew it [5:32 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'“ Having my name called out and getting the fans going with my hand thrusts, it felt like I had always been here, my whole career,” Milloy said. “ At that point, I knew that I was going to be OK. I was playing football for fans that really appreciate it. I was in an atmosphere where they make the player feel like he is needed and not the other way around.”'

If the Bills keep winning, MNF will be a big loser [5:31 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'Week 1 couldn’t have been better for the Bills. Not only did they crush New England 31-0, but Miami, New England and the New York Jets all lost and looked lousy in the process.'

Buffalo Bills report card [5:30 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'With the 500-pound Belichick gorilla off his back, Gregg Williams had a bounce in his step. Smart game plans by Kevin Gilbride, Jerry Gray and Dick LeBeau helped Bills turned tide on Patriots, who dominated both meetings a year ago.'

Bills get plenty of ink from prognosticators [5:29 AM]Business First of Buffalo reports:
'Yes, the forecast is for 10 victories and a playoff spot for the Bills and, though I do so with some hesitation, I admit to joining the believers who see a return to the playoffs and a contract extension for Williams.'

Bills make Pats pay [5:28 AM]Toronto Sun reports:
'"What we said from Day 1 is that our team has to get better around (Bledsoe)," said Bills coach Gregg Williams. "Drew just has to play quarterback. As a team, last year we weren't good enough."'

Revenge is sweet [5:27 AM]Toronto Sun reports:
'In the team's walk-through on Saturday, Bills coach Gregg Williams asked Milloy how many downs he could play. "He looked me in the eye and said, 'I want to play in every one of them,' " Williams said. "That's all I needed to know."'

Buffalo defence spikes Patriots [5:26 AM]Toronto Star reports:
'A win in the first game of a treacherous 16-game NFL season isn't any reason to get overly enthused. But give this bunch some leeway — and some credit.'

Sunday Stroll [5:25 AM]Syracuse Post-Standard reports:
'The Bills opened their season with a 31-0 shutout of the New England Patriots on a day when floating beach balls and shirtless patrons seemed appropriate for the balmy weather. It started with a star-spangled display that included a giant American flag, chants of "U-S-A, U-S-A" from the 73,262 in attendance and a military fly-over that nearly skimmed the light stanchions.'

Sunday worst [5:24 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'If there was one other undeniable fact about the Bills, it was that their revamped defense seems like it may be special.'

A pick-and-rumble play [5:22 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'Huffin' and puffin', his legs the size of pistons on an oceanliner, Sam Adams cruised -- literary license employed liberally -- 37 yards with an interception yesterday and provided the backbreaking score in Buffalo's 31-0 thumping of the Patriots at Ralph Wilson Stadium.'

An unheeded safety alert [5:21 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'To have so miscalculated not only Milloy's market value but also his value to the team both on and off the field is bad enough. To continue to profess no understanding of what he had done, even after Milloy played such a central role in stuffing his offense, gives one cause to wonder if this man has the slightest clue how human beings operate.'

Secondary's first outing third-rate [5:20 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'Once again, we were reminded that there simply is no substitute for experience. Ty Law (No. 24) and Antwan Harris (No. 23) may be locker room neighbors, but the veteran corner and new (five days, and counting) starting safety seemed worlds apart yesterday on the field. And there were times that youngsters Asante Samuel and Eugene Wilson looked a little lost.'

Were Redskins offside in episode? [5:19 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'An NFL spokesman said the league was "looking into" the matter, but it didn't appear there was an all-out investigation. Milloy told the Globe and SI.com last week that Poston had sought deals for him even before the Patriots released him. After yesterday's game, Milloy told reporters there was no contact with other teams prior to his release by New England.'

Key play of the game [5:18 AM]Boston Globe reports:
'The Bills' other defensive tackle, Sam Adams (95), didn't pass rush but shuffled to his right down the line of scrimmage. That put him in the direct line of Brady's pass, which Adams intercepted and, amazingly, returned down the right sideline 37 yards for a touchdown.'

Bledsoe exacts revenge [5:16 AM]Boston Herald reports:
'``It was important for us to come out and start fast,'' Bledsoe said. ``We didn't last year. Last year we came out, moved the ball, and then kind of bogged down on third-and-1 in the first drive of both games and the next thing you knew, we were down. ``It was important for us to come out and have a good first drive, convert two big third downs, and take it down there and put points on the board. That was definitely important for us - to just kind of set the tone offensively. And then for our defense to come out and play like they did was tremendous.'''

No breaking the Law [5:15 AM]Boston Herald reports:
'Law can certainly do more than he did yesterday. So can every other Pat. They hope.'

A trying time for Harris [5:14 AM]Boston Herald reports:
'As for Law, his blood was still boiling in the locker room when he berated a reporter for trying to read something into his actions. ``Look, you just assumed what I said,'' Law told the reporter. ``I was yelling, but this is not about attacking (Harris). We play together. Antwan is part of the team. What difference does it make if I'm talking to Lawyer or Antwan after a play?'''

Faulk's spotlight dimmed [5:13 AM]Boston Herald reports:
'To be sure, Faulk was not spectacular, but with the Bills rolling up 35 offensive plays to the Pats' measly eight (two four-and-out series) as the gap reached 21-0 some 4:46 into the second quarter, concentration was hardly on him.'